Method and apparatus for destroying or incapacitating improvised explosives, mines and other systems containing electronics or explosives

ABSTRACT

A technique and apparatus for generating high voltage (100s-1000s kV) and supplying high current (fractional to many tens of kilo-amperes), projecting a parallel, two wire electrical transmission line over a large distance (10s-100s m), or a single conductor in which the return path is the earth, which is capable of sustaining high voltages and conducting high currents, and landing the terminating terminals of the transmission line across a pre-defined target zone resulting in a low impedance closure of the electrical circuit causing high electrical current to flow. The applications for the present invention, which falls into a class of directed energy and/or non-lethal device, include: suppression of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and landmines; halting motorized platforms, including two and four wheeled motor vehicles and boats; damage and destruction of electronic systems; and destruction or incapacitation of electronic systems at substantial distances from a high voltage device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/817,044, entitled “Electric Water Cannon,” filed on Jun. 28, 2006,the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)

The present invention relates to explosive deterrence and moreparticularly to an apparatus and method to destroy or incapacitate theoperation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mines or electronicsystems that lie on or below the surface of the earth, or in structuresaway from the earth, by driving high electrical currents through theirelectronic components, their detonators, or their fuses.

2. Background Art

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is an explosive, anti-personnel,anti-vehicle device fabricated in a makeshift manner. Though they canvary widely in shape and form, IEDs share a common set of componentsthat typically consist of: an initiation system or fuse; high explosive(HE) fill; a detonator; a power supply for the detonator; and acontainer. An IED often incorporates HE scavenged from conventionalmilitary stores such as land mines, mortars, artillery shells and bombsfor the explosive fill, along with a military or civilian fuse, and adetonator or arming device. Frequently, the original bomb or mortarcasing is utilized as the container. An arming device can be made fromeasily purchased electronic components and consumer devices such asmobile phones, pagers, garage door openers, infrared (IR) sources orwired triggers. The fuse is typically a commercially available componentas is often used in the mining industry. In many cases the IED istriggered or detonated by an electrical signal coupled to the IED thoughwires, an electrical antenna or a passive IR sensor.

Various forms of electrical energy have long been used to incapacitatehumans, animals, and electrical equipment. In 1852, A. Sounenburg and P.Rechten, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,843, described a harpoon connected to anelectric generator, such that once harpooned, a whale could beelectrocuted. In 1957, T. Ryan, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,805,067, taught howconventional weapons such as spears, arrows, and lances could beprovided with self-contained electrical power supplies. In addition tothe physical trauma these weapons could inflict, they could also imposehigh voltage impulses to a target producing lethal or merely irritatingeffects. Whereas these earlier devices used electrical shock effects asa secondary mechanism to the primary physical trauma induced by thedelivery system, J. Cover, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,463, taught in 1974 adevice that utilized electrical shock as the primary effect and thetrauma of the delivery system as the secondary or otherwise harmlesseffect. Specifically, he described a device that launched a harmlessprojectile that is connected to an electrical supply by a relativelyfine, conductive wire. When the projectile comes in contact with aliving target, an electrical charge is delivered with the intention toimmobilize or potentially kill it. At least two embodiments were taughtby Cover. The first utilized a single wire and operated in a conductingmode wherein the ground or earth was used to complete the electricalcircuit. The second utilized a pair of wires to constitute the currentdelivery and return path.

Each of the inventions described above taught the use of electricalenergy to disable, immobilize, capture or kill a living target. Othershave described the use of electrical energy to disrupt the operation ofelectro-mechanical systems such as automobiles. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 6,371,000 B1 to Hutmacher, et al., taught the use of electricalenergy to stop an uncooperative, fleeing or moving vehicle.Specifically, Hutmacher, et al., described a system that used anelectrical power supply to deliver an electrical current to the targetvehicle by establishing a momentary forward and reverse current paths.These paths could be established between the electrical power supply andthe target vehicle via conductive linkages laid down on the roadway overwhich the vehicle passes, one or two electrically conducting wiresdeployed from a pursuing vehicle, or a single electrically conductingfluid stream. Also, in 1994, Sutton, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,527,described a system to disable or disrupt the electronics controllingoperation of a target vehicle that uses radiated electromagnetic fields.The system comprises a power conditioning unit, an oscillator thatgenerates a time varying electrical waveform, a transmission line tocarry the electric signal(s) to a radiating structure, and a radiatingstructure that radiates an electromagnetic wave into free space withcharacteristics similar to that of an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) thatis associated with a high altitude atmospheric nuclear explosion. Thisradiated signal propagates to the location of the target vehicle at thespeed of light, penetrates the vehicle enclosure, and disrupts ordestroys the vehicle's electronics responsible for controlling itslocomotion.

With regard to land mines and IEDs there have been prior descriptions ofdevices designed to uncover, disable and destroy buried land mines.Hansen, et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,619,177 B1, taught an apparatus forclearing land mines. Their method utilized a carrier machine and a flailunit. The flail unit is comprised of a motor, rotating head, metalchains attached at one end to the rotating head, and weights attached toopposite ends of the chains. When operating, the apparatus described byHansen, et al., rotates the head and drives the weights into the ground.As the weights pass through the earth, buried land mines are detonated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Disclosure of the Invention

The present invention discloses embodiments for an apparatus and methodto generate a high voltage potential, project and deliver a high voltagepotential difference from a few meters to greater than 100 meters, applythe electrical potential difference across two contact points at atarget location, and conduct high electrical amplitude current throughthe resulting low impedance electrical circuit. It is assumed that avolume between, or in the general vicinity of, these two contact pointscontains a target IED or mine. When high amplitude electrical currentsare caused to flow in the volume surrounding the target area, variousdesired effects can occur. For example, due to sufficient ohmic lossesin the volume containing the IED or mine, or adequate ohmic losses inelectrical wires internal to the IED or mine, a rapid temperatureincrease will occur and detonate the target IED or mine. In addition,the high-voltage dispersed around the target and high currents flowingthrough the target volume will directly couple to the electroniccircuits of a mine or IED and destroy or disable the operation of theseelectronic circuits that are required for IED and mine operation.Further, the high voltage dispersed around the target and high currentsflowing through the target will disrupt electronic systems associatedwith the IED or land mine such that energy stored in the circuits orbatteries within the IED or land mine are discharged into explosiveelements, such as detonators, or into the IED's or land mine's explosivematerial. This energy can lead to the detonation of the IED or mine. Inaddition, various non-linear effects and processes in the conductivityof the medium surrounding the IED, or the land mine, or their electronicsystems, or their control wires, are possible and these non-lineareffects can be exploited to increase the level of current in the soilcontaining an IED or land mine or other electronic device. These includeprocesses such as, but not limited to, high voltage induced airbreakdown, high voltage induced surface flashover, volume dielectricbreakdown, or related high voltage induced phenomena that can occur tocause a rapid increase in the conductivity of the soil duringapplication of the high voltage potential. Due to this reduction inmaterial resistivity, the high electrical current that flows through thevolume containing the target IED or mine can be enhanced above what theapparatus would otherwise deliver to a linear media. Here we use theterm “linear media” to mean a uniform, isotropic media characterized athigh voltages by the same conductivity that it displays at low voltage.Dry, damp or wet soil and sand are examples of materials that do notdisplay constant conductivity with voltage.

None of the prior art has disclosed a method and apparatus utilizingdirect injected electrical energy into the earth to destroy or disableIEDs or land mines. The present invention uses bi-polar, or uni-polar,high voltage potential and high current, in combination with a liquidsolution and/or conducting wires, to efficiently deliver electricalenergy for the purpose of defeating or disabling IED systems and landmines. One embodiment uses intelligence supplied by a separate system,such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,173,560 to locate the position of apotential target. The present invention relies on direct injection ofone or more short pulses (typically less than 1 millisecond induration), of high current (typically exceeding 1 kA) into the targetarea, and into any system that wholly or partially occupies the volumethrough which the current passes for the desired effect (detonation orneutralization of the IED). One operational concept of the invention isas follows:

a. Obtain, or otherwise assign, the location of a suspect IED or landmine. This location is referred to as the “target area;”

b. If required or desired, pre-soak the target area with a highlyconductive liquid, such as water with dissolved salt;

c. Generate a high voltage, bi-polar, electrical potential difference;

d. Project a highly electrically conducting transmission line from thehigh voltage generator to the target area;

e. At some time after the end points of the parallel, two wiretransmission line land at the target area, a high voltage potential isapplied between them;

f. The path between the landing zones completes the electrical circuitand allows high current (kAs) to flow through the target volume; and

g. The high potential and high current initiates the fuse of the IED orland mine, or destroys the electrical circuits associated with thedetonator, or directly initiates the high explosive material or the IEDor land mine.

The end result is the destruction of the IED or land mine, or thedisablement of the electronics of the detonator or its controllingelectronic systems. In either case, the IED or mine or other electronicsystem is rendered impotent.

These embodiments identified as an “electric cannon” achieves itsdesired effect from one or more interaction mechanisms. The firstmechanism is direct injection of high current into the target area andany system that wholly or partially occupies the volume that is theconducting path between the landing zones of the two end points of thetransmission line. It is well known that a wide variety of electronicsystems can be disabled and destroyed with the direct application ofhigh currents to them. Second, the desired effects can be achieved byinitiation of explosives (in the fuse or the HE store of the IED or landmine) caused by passing high current through their bulk. The resultingsparking, mechanical shock and/or temperature rise can initiate theassociated explosives. Third, the desired effects can also be achievedvia electromagnetic coupling and radiation from the high currenttraveling in the transmission line. It is well known that radiatedfields, of the type known as Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and associatedwith high altitude nuclear explosions can damage and destroy electronicsystems. For the electric current levels associated with the presentinvention, magnetic field levels that meet and in some cases exceed EMPlevels can be achieved out to substantial ranges beyond the target area.These magnetic fields can induce electrical currents in the electricalcircuits of the target IED or land mine, via the process know asmagnetic induction, that disable, damage or destroy them and,consequently, the capability of the host IED or land mine. In addition,the electromagnetic fields may indirectly cause detonation due to asecondary effect from damaged electronics causing discharge of theirstored energy into the detonator or bulk explosive.

The present invention is a method and apparatus of incapacitating and/ordestroying IEDs and land mines, and an apparatus that contains severalof the following sub-systems: a delivery platform; electrical circuitsthat generate high voltage (tens to thousands of kilo-volts) withcapacity to deliver high current (fractional kilo-amperes to meg-amperelevels); a transmission line and transmission line delivery system; anoptional liquid and liquid delivery system (to preferentiallypre-condition the conductivity of the target area and/or potentially toform the transmission line); electrical switching systems; and a commandand control system to target transmission line delivery system, initiatehigh voltage production and switch the high voltage onto thetransmission line.

A primary object of the present invention is to intentionally disable ordestroy IEDs or land mines.

A primary advantage of the present invention is that it can be used witha broad range of IEDs or land mines.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it can be used todisable or destroy electronic or electrical systems in general,including those not associated with IEDs or land mines.

Other objects, advantages and novel features, and further scope ofapplicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in thedetailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilledin the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned bypractice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the inventionmay be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities andcombinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a partof the specification, illustrate several embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose ofillustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not to beconstrued as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a fully operational ElectricCannon.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a partially buried ImprovisedExplosive Device (IED).

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit diagram.

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross section of a two wire transmission line.

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross section of a schematic illustration of afully operational embodiment of the Electric Cannon.

FIG. 6 is a top down schematic illustration of the cargo area of theplatform of an embodiment of the Electric Cannon.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit diagram of aCockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a fully operational embodiment ofthe Electric Cannon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Best Modes for Carrying Out theInvention

FIG. 1 shows a carrier machine 1, whose purpose is to support andtransport all sub-systems required by the Electric Cannon for operation.In this case carrier machine 1 is a platform, or vehicle, which carrieselectrical prime power (not shown), a high voltage generator (notshown), a high voltage switch (not shown) a water reservoir (not shown),command and control sub-system (not shown) and a water projection system2. Also indicated in the illustration of FIG. 1, is a target area 4 thatis down range of the Electric Cannon. Target area 4 is shown to containa buried IED or mine 5. Also indicated in FIG. 1 is how transmissionline 3 (in this case a parallel, two wire transmission line constitutedof a conductive liquid solution) lands astride target area 4. Carriermachine 1 is also intended to house and protect one or more humanoperators. FIG. 1 also shows two water launching apparatuses such aselectric cannons 2 whose purpose and function is to project two columnsof water to target area 4. Other embodiments of the Electric Cannon canemploy electrically conducting wires to constitute the transmission line3. In this case the wires are dispensed from the carrier by trailingbehind a spike or arrow that is directed and launched to the landing ortarget area 4.

Platform

The platform for the Electric Cannon is typically a mobile deliverysystem; however it can also be a stationary system. For example, asindicated in FIGS. 1 and 5, the platform may be a standard militarytransport vehicle of the type known as a five (5) ton cargo vehicle suchas a model M1085 A1. FIG. 5 is a transverse cross section of a schematicillustration of a fully operational embodiment of the preferredembodiment of a carrier machine 1. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1and 5 an aqueous solution is used to form conducting channels thatconstitute a transmission line 3 that conducts high electric current totarget area 4. Major sub-systems are depicted in the illustration,including: main water storage vessel 19; high pressure pump 20; sulfurhexafluoride (SF₆) storage tank 21; high voltage generator 22; highpressure charge vessel 23; water nozzles 24; water storage vessels fornext shot 25; and SF₆ recovery pump 26. It should be noted that otherinsulating materials, such as transformer oil, could be used, or inother cases, no insulation other than ambient air is required. Otherembodiments of the Electric Cannon could utilize airborne or waterbornecraft, rail mounted, or possibly realized from a physically fixed (notmobile) platform or station.

High Voltage Generator

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an electrical circuit diagram 11.The depicted circuit indicates a voltage source 12 of strength V that isrepresentative of the electric cannon's high voltage source 22, a switch13 that is representative of the high voltage switch that isolates thehigh voltage energy store from the intended load, a resistor 14 that isrepresentative the resistance of the forward path, a second resistor 15that is representative of the electrical resistance of the path in theearth, and a third resistor 16 that is representative of the resistanceof the return path. From first principles, current 17 of strength I thatflows through the earth once high voltage switch 13 has been closed,will be I=V/(R1+R2+R3). With amply strong voltage and adequately lowresistance the resulting current that flows through the earth would besufficient to disable or destroy an IED or mine that is wholly orpartially surrounded by the earth through which the current flows. Forexample, with an ideal voltage source of intensity V, realized typicallyby a charged capacitor bank, assuming a wire resistance of 10Ω (eachway), an earth channel resistance of 35Ω, and a 1 MV potentialdifference (two 500 kV bipolar voltage sources, one providing +500 kVand one providing −500 kV yielding a total potential difference of 1MV), Ohm's law gives an injected current of ˜18.2 kA. The bi-polarnature of the applied voltage concentrates the current along a pathbetween the landing zones (as well as minimizes the voltage to groundrequired at the source end, i.e., a earth-to-electrode potentialdifference with a magnitude of 500 kV as opposed to anearth-to-electrode potential difference of +1000 kV in unipolaroperational mode), compared to a uni-polar injection with anearth-return to a distant point.

FIG. 3 refers to a voltage generator 12; FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 refer to ahigh voltage generator 22. FIG. 6 is a top view schematic illustrationof the cargo area of the platform of an Electric Cannon 27. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 6, an aqueous solution is used to form thetransmission line 3 that conducts high electric current to target area4. Major sub-systems are depicted in the illustration, including: a mainwater storage vessel 19; a high pressure pump 20; a sulfur hexafluoride(SF₆) storage tank 21; high voltage generators 22; high pressure chargevessels 23; water nozzles 24; water storage vessels for next shot 25;and a SF₆ recovery pump 26. High voltage generators 22 provide theintense electric potential difference, or voltage, that energizes thetransmission line 3 that is projected to target area 4, and supplies thehigh current that flows through the target volume and destroys targetIED or land mine 5. High voltage generators 22 are realized by one ofseveral well know methods. A preferred method to generate the highvoltage potential utilizes the Cockcroft-Walton circuit; a typicalconfiguration of a Cockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier circuit isindicated schematically as the electrical circuit diagram 28 shown inFIG. 7.

Electrical circuit 28 indicated in FIG. 7 is commonly called aCockcroft-Walton voltage multiplier. Circuit 28 indicates an outputvoltage strength 29 of 2nV_(max) where n is the number of stages in thecircuit and V_(max) is the peak voltage (Vmax=½ of the peak-to-peakvoltage) of oscillating voltage source 30 that charges the circuit. Twodiodes, D and D′, and two capacitors, C and C′, configured as indicated,are the collection of elements that constitute a stage 31 in circuit 28.High voltage generators based on the Cockcroft-Walton voltage multipliercircuit, with DC output voltages to multi-MV, are commonly usedworldwide and manufactured for commercial sale. This Cockcroft-Waltongenerator can be used to charge low inductance capacitors, which can actas a low impedance voltage source, relative to the load impedance, toenergize the transmission line 3 of FIG. 1. Other commonly used systemsfor generating high voltage are Marx-type circuits and voltage step-uptransformers, including both air core and high magnetic permeabilitycore types. For the present application, two Cockcroft-Walton highvoltage generators are utilized; one generates the positive polarityvoltage potential 22, while the second generates the negative polarityvoltage potential 22′. Other types of high voltage generators can alsobe utilized, including those based on the Marx generator, transformersand other well known methods. The high voltage generator is typicallyimmersed in an insulating media, such as sulfur-hexafluoride gas ortransformer oil for the high voltage contemplated here, although somelower voltage systems, typically with output voltages less than 150 kV,do not require insulating media other than ambient air. Typically, thehigh voltage generator charges a collection of low inductancecapacitors, which could be discharged into a load in a fraction of amicrosecond using a triggered or self-break switch, and produce kA to100s of kA, or higher, current levels.

Transmission Line Delivery System

Transmission lines 3 of FIG. 1, 7 of FIGS. 2, 14 and 16 of FIGS. 3 and18 of FIG. 4 physically extend from the platform and high voltagegenerator 22 to target area 4. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of apartially buried Improvised Explosive Device (IED) 5. Standing astrideIED 5, and partially buried in surrounding earth 9, are indicated twostakes 6 that are connected to the Electric Cannon 1 via two metallic,high conductivity wires 7. These wires 7 are attached to high voltagegenerator 22 of Electric Cannon 1, and when the high voltage switch isenabled the full output voltage of high voltage generator 22, less thepotential dropped across wire transmission lines 7, is applied acrossground stakes 6. Once the high voltage is applied to ground stakes 6,high current 10 is caused to flow in earth 9 surrounding IED 5 and indetonator wire 8. Note that current 10 depicted in FIG. 2 is notional,and does not represent an actual distribution of current. This currentcauses destruction or disablement of IED or mine 5 within the currentpath.

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross section of a two-wire transmission line 17.Each of the two wires 18 that constitute the transmission line have aradius a, and their centers are separated by a distance b. The materialthat makes up each wire 18 can be metallic (like copper, silver oraluminum), a highly conducting aqueous solution (saturated solution ofsalt and water), other highly conducting liquid, a plasma channel, orany other material that preferentially conducts electrical current alongthe path defined by the presence of the wires of the transmission line.Also, the wire radii and separation define a characteristic transmissionline impedance, Z₀ given by the well known, approximate, formula Z₀=120In (b/a) ohms. If Z₀ is equal to the electrical resistance of the targetvolume, then the rise time of the current and voltage waveformsimpressed through and across the target area will be maximized, apotentially desirable condition, arising from matching load resistanceto source resistance.

The purposes of the transmission lines are to provide a safe stand-offdistance 36 between the platform of Electric Cannon 1 and target area 4,supply a low electrical resistance path from high voltage generator 22to target area 4, and conduct electric current supplied by high voltagegenerator 22 to the volume of target area 4. A safe stand-off distance36 between the platform of the Electric Cannon and the target area isassumed to be on the order of 10 meters or more; however the engagementdistance, which is the distance from the electric cannon launch point tothe target area, is likely to be substantially more, perhaps as far as afew hundred meters. To realize the transmission line, whose length islikely to lie in the few meters to a few hundreds of meters range, onehas several options.

One option to realize the transmission line, as depicted in theillustration of FIG. 1, is to use a liquid such as an aqueous(water-based) solution suitably loaded with salt or other material toachieve high conductivity, as the material constituting the two wires 3of the two-wire transmission line 18. The conductivity of a solution ofwater (normally an insulator), can be enhanced to values of 150 S/m byadding various solutes such as common salts (NaCl, for example) andacids (HCl, for example). The water is projected from the platform usingtwo high-pressure water nozzles 2 of the type commonly utilized by thewater entertainment industry. The key feature of the water nozzles, fora liquid-based transmission line, is that they must project the waterwith as small a Reynolds number as possible, and with a geometry thatdemonstrates minimal divergence. In other words, the projected watercolumns must leave the Electric Cannon platform and nozzles and travelto the target area in a manner that minimizes the turbulent nature ofthe water flow. The purpose of this requirement is to maximize theinsulation between the water columns and to maximize the conductivity ofthe water channels that together constitute the transmission line. Whilea water-based transmission line is described here, other liquid-basedtransmission lines could be considered for this use. The velocity of theliquid channels, the distance to the target area, the height of thelaunch point and the rate-of-fall of the uncoiled wire must all bechosen consistently so that the transmission line does not approach theground too closely prior to being energized by the high voltage source.

A second option to realize the transmission line is to use a thinmetallic conductor, typically millimeters in diameter or less, as thematerial constituting the two wires 3 of the two-wire transmission line18. The conductivity of metals is many orders of magnitude greater thanthat possible in an aqueous solution, allowing a more efficient transferof stored energy to the target volume. For example, copper has aconductivity of approximately 6×10⁷ S/m, compared to the conductivity of50 mS/m for heavily salted water. In this case the two-wire transmissionline would be realized in a metal material. To deploy the transmissionline, the two wires would be synchronously projected from the platform,perhaps by trailing behind projectiles ballistically fired to the targetarea by two high-pressure nozzles or explosively propelled from abarrel. The US Army's TOW (Tube-launched, Optically-tracked, Wirecommand-link guided) missile system is an example of this type ofdeployed transmission line. A similar technology would be employed tosynchronously launch the two metallic wires, which comprise thetransmission line from two individual launch points. FIG. 8 is aschematic illustration of a fully operational Electric Cannon, for thissecond embodiment. In this case a platform 1, or vehicle, carrieselectrical prime power (not shown), a high voltage generator (notshown), a high voltage switch (not shown), two projectile dispensers 32,a metal wire distribution system (not shown), and a command and controlsub-system (not shown). Also indicated in the illustration of FIG. 8, isa projectile 33 that has been launched by one of the dispensers. Alsodepicted in the FIG. 8 is a metal wire 34 trailing behind theprojectile. Two projectiles will eventually travel to the target area 4that is down range of the Electric Cannon, and carry with them twometallic wires that will constitute the transmission line 3. Thevelocity of the projectiles, the distance to the target area, the heightof the launch point and the rate-of-fall of the uncoiled wire must allbe chosen consistently so that the transmission line wire does notapproach the ground too closely prior to being energized by the highvoltage source.

The electric cannon application only requires that the wires extendseveral meters to a few hundred meters from the launch point, which is amuch shorter distance than the already demonstrated multi-kilometer TOWapplication. Therefore, methods for launching a projectile with atrailing wire, which are low cost, robust and able to be implemented ina compact dispenser system, can be envisioned. Such delivery methodsinclude, but not limited to (a) dart-like projectiles, launched viacompressed air, or (b) slugs of metal (bullet like).

A third option to realize the transmission line is to utilize an aerosolas the material constituting two conductors 3 of two-wire transmissionline 18. The aerosol could be the momentary mist left behind after asmall volume of aqueous solution is projected at high speed through theatmosphere to the target area. Other materials, including hydrocarbonpropelled mists and/or non-aqueous vapors, with or without particulates,could be used to create a mist trail. Under extremely high electricfield conditions, which induce non-linear effects in the aerosol, themist trail can undergo electrical breakdown along its length (unable tosupport a substantial electric potential across two points along itspath and therefore able to support substantial current flow). Once themist trail begins to break down, the remaining portion is subject to aneven higher electric field causing additional breakdown and the entirechannel can rapidly become highly conductive due to plasma formationdriven by this avalanche effect. Thus, a highly conductive plasma isleft along the path occupied by the mist. In this case, two-wiretransmission line 18 would be realized by the plasma channels formedwhen the mist trail experiences electrical breakdown. Transmission line18 comprised of the aqueous mist and plasma then presents a lowelectrical resistance path from high voltage generator 22 to target area4, and conducts electric current supplied by high voltage generator 22to the volume of target area 4.

Operation

Generally speaking, Electric Cannon 1 operates as follows, for thespecific case where an aqueous solution is used to constitute two-wiresof the transmission line 18. Referring to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, an ElectricCannon delivery vehicle 1 is located and oriented relative to targetarea 4. Pump 20 draws water from main water storage 19 and supplies afull charge of water 25 to each electric cannon. High voltage generators22 are then energized while a high-pressure compressor pump 20 fillseach of two high-pressure cylinders 23. Water nozzles 2 are then aimedand pointed toward the target areas 4. Once high voltage generators 22are fully charged to their design output voltage, water charges 25 arefull and the high-pressure cylinders 23 are pressurized to the ratedpressure, and the valves controlling the flow from water nozzles 2 areopened. Once opened, a water stream leaves nozzle 2 of each electriccannon with a velocity sufficient to propel it to target area 4. Thecapacity of each water charge 25 and high-pressure cylinder 23 issufficient to project a continuous stream of water to the target areaand these two water columns constitute transmission line 3. The time ittakes for the leading edge of the water column to arrive at target area4 is on the order of seconds. Next, when the far end of the transmissionline arrives at the target area, a switch is closed to apply the highvoltage potential to the near end of the transmission line. One ofseveral methods of determining when to trigger the high voltage switchcan be used. For example, a sensor 35, in this case an inductivelycoupled current sensor depicted in a notional form and not as it wouldbe physically implemented, located in the vicinity of the launch pointof the water nozzles can detect the precise moment when the two watercolumns contact target area 4, by detecting or measuring a rapid drop inthe circuit resistance or change in the capacitance to ground. Thisrapid drop in the resistance or change in capacitance would indicate tothe command and control system that it is time to synchronously closethe high voltage switch 13. Or, distance and velocity calculations canbe used to determine the time of flight and contact time of thetransmission line, and the command and control could asynchronouslyclose the high voltage switch 13. At this time a high voltage switch isclosed 13 and the full bi-polar electric potential of the outputs ofboth high voltage generators 22 are applied between the two waterchannels of the transmission line 3 causing current to flow. The currentpulse reaches target area 4 in times less than a few microseconds,depending on the distance, which is essentially instantaneous on thetime scale of the transmission line delivery. Once current begins toflow in the volume of target area 4, the desired effect (destruction,disablement or disruption of the target IED or land mine 5) is achievedfrom one or more interaction mechanisms: direct injection of highcurrent into target area 4 and any electronic system that wholly orpartially occupies the volume that is the conducting path between thelanding zones of the transmission line 3; initiation of explosives (inthe fuze or the HE store of the IED or land mine 5) caused by passinghigh current through their bulk; and/or via intense electromagneticfields that are produced by the high current traveling in transmissionline 3 that couples into the electronics of the target IED or land mine5. In any case, IED or mine 5 is rendered impotent.

A second possible operating scenario for Electric Cannon 1 is asfollows. Instead of using an aqueous solution, metallic wires 18 areused to constitute the two wires of the transmission line 3. An ElectricCannon delivery vehicle 1 is located and oriented relative to targetarea 4. Pump 20 draws water from main water storage 19 and supplies afull charge of water 25 to a single electric cannon. As an optionalaugmentation that depends upon the conductivity of the earth at targetarea 4, but not necessary in many circumstances, the water canon is thenfired to soak the target area with a highly conductive aqueous solution.High voltage generators 22 are then energized while a high-pressurecompressor pump 20 fills each of two high-pressure cylinders 23. Insteadof water nozzles, a pair of harpoon-like metallic spikes 6 are aimed andpointed toward target area 4, as shown in FIG. 2. These can be as smallas darts launched with compressed air, or even bullets launched by anexplosive charge, provided they can rapidly carry a trailing wire to thetarget area. The trailing wire could be spooled from a dispenser. Oncehigh voltage generators 22 are fully charged to their design outputvoltage, and high-pressure cylinders 23 are pressurized to the ratedpressure, harpoons 6 are fired toward target area 4. These harpoons 6trail behind wires 7 that constitute the transmission line, and arefired with sufficient speed that the wires do not fall to the groundbefore being electrically energized. A sensor 35 detects the precisemoment when harpoons 6 impact target area 4. At this time a high voltageswitch 13 is closed and the full bi-polar electric potential of theoutputs of both high voltage generators 22 are applied between two wires7 causing current to flow. Once current begins to flow in the volume oftarget area 4, the desired effect is achieved via one or more of theinteraction mechanisms described above. Again, IED or mine 5 is renderedimpotent. The wires may be chosen in diameter and material to evaporatewhen the current flows through them, in a manner similar to a fuze. Insuch a case, the rapid opening of the wire can cause a very high voltageto be generated by the principle of magnetic induction. Such highvoltage can then breakdown the air and a large current spike couldpotentially couple particularly high voltages into nearby circuits ofthe IED or land mine. This type of waveform is intrinsic to explodingfuses and could in principle result from the use of other non-continuousconductors, including liquids. This mechanism may provide enhancedlethality to electronic systems that inhabit the target area.

The electric cannon apparatus also takes advantage of a reduction in theresistance of the earth, including soil and sand, at sufficiently highvoltages, compared with lower voltages, to enable the flow of highlevels of current through the earth in the vicinity of electrodescontacting the surface. This reduction in resistance occurs due to amultitude of high voltage effects in the soil, including surfacetracking and dielectric breakdown in the soil particles, and gasbreakdown in the voids between the soil particles, for example. Also,the apparatus may utilize a method to enhance surface conductivity viapre-soaking the target area with a highly conducting liquid.

Although the invention has been described in detail with particularreference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achievethe same results. Variations and modifications of the present inventionwill be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications and equivalents. Theentire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, andpublications cited above, are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. An apparatus to destroy, disable or disrupt improvised explosivedevices or landmines, the apparatus comprising: a platform comprising atleast one high voltage generator and a transmission line deliverysystem; and at least two electrically conducting channels comprising atransmission line electrically connected to the high voltage generatorwherein the at least two electrically conducting channels comprises atleast two contact points configured to traverse the improvisedexplosives or landmines.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein saidtransmission line comprises a liquid transmission line.
 3. The apparatusof claim 2 wherein said liquid transmission line comprises a conductiveliquid.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said transmission linedelivery system comprises at least one electric cannon.
 5. The apparatusof claim 1 wherein said transmission line comprises a wired transmissionline.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising at least oneprojectile affixed to the wired transmission line.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said transmission line comprises an aerosol transmissionline.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises at least one sensorfor providing data to energize the high voltage generator.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein one of said electrically conductingchannels is configured to comprises the earth.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein said transmission line comprises a predetermineddistance between said platform and the at least two contact points. 11.The invention of claim 1 wherein said at least one high voltagegenerator comprises a voltage multiplier.
 12. The invention of claim onewherein said at least one high voltage generator comprises a positivevoltage generator and a negative voltage generator.
 13. The invention ofclaim 1 wherein said platform comprises a member from the groupconsisting of a mobile platform, an airborne platform, a sea borneplatform and a man-borne platform.
 14. A method of disabling ordisrupting an improvised explosive or land mine, the method comprisingthe steps of: delivering at least two electrically conducting channelscomprising a transmission line to at least two contact points, the atleast two contact points traversing the improvised explosive or landmine; generating an electrical potential across the at least two contactpoints; and injecting an electrical current into an area surrounding theat least two contact points.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the stepof delivering comprises shooting at least one stream of conductiveliquid to a target area.
 16. The method of claim 14 wherein the step ofdelivering comprises launching at least one conductive metal trailing aprojectile to a target area.
 17. The method of claim 14 wherein the stepof generating an electrical potential comprises generating theelectrical potential at a predetermined time.
 18. The method of claim 14further comprising the step of sensing a predetermined event todischarge the electrical potential to the transmission line.
 19. Themethod of claim 14 wherein the step of generating an electricalpotential comprises flowing high amplitude current between and near thetwo contact points.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step offlowing high amplitude current comprises a member from the groupconsisting of detonating the improvised explosive or land mine,disabling electronic systems associated with the improvised explosive orland mine and discharging internal energy from the electronic systems ofan improvised explosive device or land mine.